AUNT HILDA’S LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 579, 8 October 1932, Page 18 (Supplement)

AUNT HILDA’S LETTER.

CLOSE OF COMPETITIONS

Very Special Work for the Boys.

J)EAR GIRLS AND BOYS,— Monday next is closing day for all our present competitions, the “ old tin" toys, the worked aprons and also the Peace Essay competitions. Just in case you have left it rather late, the final close-down on the entries will be made on Wednesday, 12 noon. I am very interested indeed in the competitions, especially the essays, as I have received some really outstanding attempts from the far side of the Alps, and would, at this stage, not be a bit surprised to see the awards go to Westland. I have been very happily surprised to see the grip the essayists have of their subject. Busy fingers all over the place are stitching away at aprons for our Christmas fund, and recently I met a little girl to whom we gave a pretty apron last Christmas. She still wears it on Sunday afternoons only, taking the greatest care of it, and her mother tells me she is always very happy when she wears it. The toys made from “ old tins ” ought to be very interesting, too. One beautiful engine has already arrived. There is still time, then, to try for some of the prizes, especially the Peace competition, so rally, boys and girls, and see what you can do. You never know till you have made the effort. Results will be in this page next Saturday. And now one more thing, and this for the boys. Who will come and help me next Saturday morning to remove the unsightly tobacco tins, empty jars, etc., that are littering the bed of the Avon right in the city so very unaesthetically ? Next Saturday morning, at 9.30 a.m., will you meet me at Colombo Street bridge and bring a sugar-sack if you can, and we will clean up all those tins that are absolutely spoiling out pretty river. This is a practical chance for boys to improve their city and to show the careless older people who litter the river so that we are not going to have it. In an hour or so, we could easily clean up all the mess and have the river the beauty spot it ought to be. Come along at 9.30 a.m. next Saturday if fine; if not, then the Saturday after that, and I’ll be there to meet you. You had better bring a pair of old shoes for wading in case of old glass in the river. Perhaps then we could form a “ Little Citizens' ” Club, whose special duties it would be to clean up these civic eye-sores. I hope a big rally of boys who love their city will be there, any ages. And if there are any girls who would like to join us come along, too! Farther away Starlets can join us in thought and by doing something practical in your own district. If you do, tell us about it and we will see who has done the best deed for the place they live in. 9.30 a.m., Colombo Street bridge, next Saturday, if fine. If wet, the following Saturday! Get to it, boys! Greetings and love to everyone far and near to-night, from —